§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to seek to ensure that more police officers are operating on the beat; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawChief officers of police have been helped to put more officers on the beat by the improvement in the strength of the police service and by 33W the release of police officers from administrative posts which the Government have encouraged. I expect that the manpower increases which my right hon. Friend announced on 20 May will lead to a steady increase in the number of officers on foot patrol.
§ Mrs. Peacockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are in service at the latest date for which figures are available in west Yorkshire; and what was the comparable number in May 1979.
§ Mr. Giles ShawOn 31 May 1986 the strength of the West Yorkshire police was 5,119. This is a gain of 380 on the strength of 4,739 in May 1979.